Prevalent HD patients with higher NT-proBNP (NT-proBNP ≧5,760 pg/mL) showed a high prevalence of malnutrition (30% vs 11% for those with lower NT-proBNP levels, P = 0.0002), decreased levels of creatinine, and decreased creatinine index. The gene discussed is NPPB; the disease is malnutrition.